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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So if you've been here a while you will realise that I have slowly been getting through this series. The first two books I absolutely loved however the rest of the series gradually went downhill. However as I owned the whole series I was convinced that I was going to read them all to see if the series improved and could finally regain its 5* status.
This is the third book in the series (chronological order not publication order), in this book we no longer follow the four children well known from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, oh no, in this book we follow Shasta and his talking horse Bree as they race to stop an invasion.
Now I really liked the Pevensie children and was looking forward to reading more about their adventures in Narnia. However instead I was greeted by this random character who decides he has had enough of his life and decides to take off with a talking horse (it is Narnia after all, talking horses are common). From there we follow a painfully dull story of Shasta trying to prevent an invasion. Naturally the whole book follows what is quickly becoming a repetitive story...he has to find a prince/king, they alone can stop the invasion etc.
I really didn't see the point in this book, it had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the Narnia series except the setting. I feel as though this book was sort of added as a filler because publishers knew it would sell. There is nothing of our beloved Narnia in this book, Shasta could have been absolutely anywhere in the world, there is nothing that specifically defines it as Narnia.
I was incredibly let down by this book, I didn't like how none of the characters we know and love were featured in the book. I don't know why we had to have an entire book about Shasta and his talking horse. It seemed like an incredibly pointless story about a character that is easily forgettable and will probably never be mentioned again.
If you are reading the series I would definitely recommend skipping this book, it adds nothing to the overall Narnia storyline and unless you are frequently reminded that it is set in Narnia you can easily imagine it being set in a mystical version of somewhere in Africa perhaps, definitely not Narnia
This is the third book in the series (chronological order not publication order), in this book we no longer follow the four children well known from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, oh no, in this book we follow Shasta and his talking horse Bree as they race to stop an invasion.
Now I really liked the Pevensie children and was looking forward to reading more about their adventures in Narnia. However instead I was greeted by this random character who decides he has had enough of his life and decides to take off with a talking horse (it is Narnia after all, talking horses are common). From there we follow a painfully dull story of Shasta trying to prevent an invasion. Naturally the whole book follows what is quickly becoming a repetitive story...he has to find a prince/king, they alone can stop the invasion etc.
I really didn't see the point in this book, it had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the Narnia series except the setting. I feel as though this book was sort of added as a filler because publishers knew it would sell. There is nothing of our beloved Narnia in this book, Shasta could have been absolutely anywhere in the world, there is nothing that specifically defines it as Narnia.
I was incredibly let down by this book, I didn't like how none of the characters we know and love were featured in the book. I don't know why we had to have an entire book about Shasta and his talking horse. It seemed like an incredibly pointless story about a character that is easily forgettable and will probably never be mentioned again.
If you are reading the series I would definitely recommend skipping this book, it adds nothing to the overall Narnia storyline and unless you are frequently reminded that it is set in Narnia you can easily imagine it being set in a mystical version of somewhere in Africa perhaps, definitely not Narnia
The grandchildren and I have now read [b:The Magician's Nephew|65605|The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #6)|C.S. Lewis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1308814770s/65605.jpg|1031537], [b:The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe|100915|The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353029077s/100915.jpg|4790821], and this. When I was a child and when I read this wonderful Narnia series to my son and then to my daughter (6 years later), I read them in the order in which they were written. This time I'm reading them in the chronological order of Narnia. I like this better because I remember being disappointed as a child that not all the books were about Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmond (and I didn't enjoy the others quite so much for that reason alone). Now, my grandchildren have met different sets of characters in each book they've heard so far and thus it is Narnia which will be the absolute focus throughout.
This book is about a Talking Horse, Bree, who was captured years ago and taken away from his home in Narnia, and a boy, Shasta, who was washed ashore as a baby in a land where he looks different to everybody else and where he has been raised by a fisherman. Circumstances cause them to join together to journey to Narnia. They meet another Talking Horse, Hwin (also captured, and also never speaking aloud for fear of being treated like a circus animal), who is carrying her 'mistress' Aravis as she flees from a repugnant arranged marriage. They experience many adventures both individually and as a group, and they gradually learn to overcome fear and prejudice, and to find their own strengths. It's a great children's story set in an exotic place with even more exotic creatures and, of course, the beautiful Aslan with his deep wisdom.
This book is about a Talking Horse, Bree, who was captured years ago and taken away from his home in Narnia, and a boy, Shasta, who was washed ashore as a baby in a land where he looks different to everybody else and where he has been raised by a fisherman. Circumstances cause them to join together to journey to Narnia. They meet another Talking Horse, Hwin (also captured, and also never speaking aloud for fear of being treated like a circus animal), who is carrying her 'mistress' Aravis as she flees from a repugnant arranged marriage. They experience many adventures both individually and as a group, and they gradually learn to overcome fear and prejudice, and to find their own strengths. It's a great children's story set in an exotic place with even more exotic creatures and, of course, the beautiful Aslan with his deep wisdom.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
slow-paced
This story was a bit of a sub-plot, but was still completely enjoyable. I didn't think it was the best book of the 3 Chronicles I've read so far, but is still worth it.
entertaining read. Not my usual cup of tea, but a pleasant distraction.
For me, this was the weakest offering so far. It wasn't bad, but certainly felt like a filler book.
medium-paced
Finished rereading March 2024! One of the best books I have ever read, I think. I want to think about its parallels to TWHF and the idea of the beatific vision. It is also, probably, one of the strongest points in Ward's Planet Narnia thesis. Even if Lewis didn't intentionally set out to write a Mercury book, he certainly did. The Lord of Language, Aslan swift of foot, is vivid and terrifyingly beautiful on these pages.
2022 review:
I am in awe. After being let down by LWW, which didn't quite match my memories of greatness and left me confused, I was afraid I didn't like Narnia anymore. Or if I did, it was only a mixture of nostalgia and appreciation for Lewis, not a real love for the stories and world.
Then in burst this book to remind me of CSL's brilliance. The Horse and His Boy has me nearly in happy tears. I was grinning so widely the entire time I listened to it (in the car to and from work) and could not stop talking to my family about how wonderful it is. From the perfect beginning (just enough setting without info dumps, then an inciting incident) to the thrilling conclusion (the scene where Lune welcomes Shasta home is so beautiful), I loved it.
Other things to love: the marvelous characterization! Each person is unique and memorable and oh so very fallible, but never beyond forgiveness except by his own choice. So many good scenes with Aslan. Aravis is an amazing character; having chosen life because of trust in a land she has never seen, she fights as hard as she can to get there. When she realizes she is in the wrong, she admits it. She is fierce and lovely and loyal. And then the chase across the desert and the mountains?? I couldn't stop listening. I volunteered to drive places and do dishes just so I could finish. (How on earth did they stay awake that long? Shasta is up for at least 40 hours, sleeps for less than 10, then is up for another 24 or so. A hero indeed.)
A few random thoughts: I saw echoes of The Blue Sword this time through (or more properly, TBS reminds me of this book); if you like this one you might like the other (and they're both marvelous). Also, are all the Narnian lords Telmarine/Archenlandian immigrants? How else would there be humans there? And finally, does Lune have a brother named Lunin? I must know.
I don't think I'll ever be over how wonderful The Horse and His Boy is.
Sarah Sparks' Shasta song :)
2022 review:
Do not by any means destroy yourself, for if you live you may yet have good fortune but all the dead are dead alike.
I am in awe. After being let down by LWW, which didn't quite match my memories of greatness and left me confused, I was afraid I didn't like Narnia anymore. Or if I did, it was only a mixture of nostalgia and appreciation for Lewis, not a real love for the stories and world.
After one glance at the Lion's face he slipped out of the saddle and fell at its feet. He couldn't say anything but then he didn't want to say anything, and he knew he needn't say anything.
Then in burst this book to remind me of CSL's brilliance. The Horse and His Boy has me nearly in happy tears. I was grinning so widely the entire time I listened to it (in the car to and from work) and could not stop talking to my family about how wonderful it is. From the perfect beginning (just enough setting without info dumps, then an inciting incident) to the thrilling conclusion (the scene where Lune welcomes Shasta home is so beautiful), I loved it.
Please, you're so beautiful. You may eat me if you like. I'd sooner be eaten by you than fed by anyone else.
Other things to love: the marvelous characterization! Each person is unique and memorable and oh so very fallible, but never beyond forgiveness except by his own choice. So many good scenes with Aslan. Aravis is an amazing character; having chosen life because of trust in a land she has never seen, she fights as hard as she can to get there. When she realizes she is in the wrong, she admits it. She is fierce and lovely and loyal. And then the chase across the desert and the mountains?? I couldn't stop listening. I volunteered to drive places and do dishes just so I could finish. (How on earth did they stay awake that long? Shasta is up for at least 40 hours, sleeps for less than 10, then is up for another 24 or so. A hero indeed.)
No one is told any story but their own.
A few random thoughts: I saw echoes of The Blue Sword this time through (or more properly, TBS reminds me of this book); if you like this one you might like the other (and they're both marvelous). Also, are all the Narnian lords Telmarine/Archenlandian immigrants? How else would there be humans there? And finally, does Lune have a brother named Lunin? I must know.
Even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did.
I don't think I'll ever be over how wonderful The Horse and His Boy is.
The King's under the law, for it's the law makes him a king.
Sarah Sparks' Shasta song :)
Who are you to question me?
Do you command the mountains or calm the raging sea?
For I am the current, there to save your life.
A man may find his eye deceiving, a fool holds on to trust his sight;
A wise man knows that his own feeling may not with the truth align.
And you think that you have never seen my face,
But every moment you’re alive, you know my grace.
For only death in this whole world is justly deserved
And you say that I never answer, just because you have not heard
But you don’t know yet how to listen or to understand my words.